Alan Pardew signed a three-and-a-half year contract with Crystal Palace this morning after leaving Newcastle United who are 10th in the Premier League table.
The 53-year-old has been at the centre of much attention from Newcastle fans this season despite their recent turn in form in the Premier League, fans are continued to call for his resignation’ this is believed to be one of the main contributors to the former Palace player leaving the club he has been at since 2010.
We spoke to Thomas Bore of Newcastle blog the Gallowgate Group for his views on Pardew’s time at the club and also what he expects their former manager to do in his time at Selhurst Park.
Do you think that Alan Pardew deserves all of the abuse he has received over previous months considering where he has taken the club during his time at Newcastle?
Simply put, no. Nobody ‘deserves’ the level of abuse Alan suffered. Although I completely understand the fans’ frustration at our appalling performances since finishing fifth a few seasons back, I do not believe the personal attacks, from a very small minority, toward the 53-year-old were deserved.
If you were Mike Ashley in 2010 when Pardew was appointed, would you have realistically preferred anyone else?
At the time, his appointment was a bizarre one as Chris Hughton wasn’t doing too much wrong. We were comfortable in the Premier League and fans weren’t disgruntled in the slightest. The club statement stated that Mike was looking for someone with “more managerial experience”, to cement our place in the top tier of English football – like Tony Pulis had managed at Stoke. Although, I don’t see why Hughton couldn’t have managed this. Martin Jol, Martin O’Neill and Alan Curbishley were the only other names linked with the vacancy – none of which really excited me either.
What do you think of the tactics he used whilst at Newcastle and do you think they could be a positive affect for Palace?
In terms of tactics, Alan’s inability to adapt to accommodate the better quality players arriving on Tyneside was his greatest downfall. In brief, his philosophy was simply that the team must defend in numbers, including his forwards. At the start of his tenure, the team’s desire and willingness to throw themselves in front of everything meant his vision worked. But, once Graham Carr began to find continental players who were better technically in order for us to progress in the league, Pardew’s tactics began to be exploited. Some of our better players, such as Marveaux and Ben Arfa, couldn’t adapt to the high work rate expected of them, meaning they lost their spot in the first team to less talented players who worked hard.
Having watched Palace on several occasions this season, I believe Pardew’s tactics would have a positive affect. In fact, I believe Alan would be able to cement their place in the Premier League. But, in two or three seasons time, when the Eagles look to progress in the league, I fail to see how Alan can remain in charge.
Newcastle have signed a number of players of the the past four years, who do you think was the best signing that Alan Pardew made in that time?
Personally, I believe Yohan Cabaye was Alan Pardew’s best signing. The French playmaker’s presence was enough to motivate players, in ways Pardew himself couldn’t manage. Last Winter, Newcastle were up to sixth until Yohan departed for, his boyhood club, PSG. The Magpies only managed four wins in the remaining sixteen games of the 2013/14 season.
What do you think was the best moment for Newcastle under Alan Pardew and do you think anyone else could have achieved it?
The best moment under Pardew has to be reaching the Europa League quarter finals after beating Anzhi 1-0 at home. We went through to play Benfica, who eventually beat us 4-2 – over two legs.
Whether somebody else could have achieved it is anybody’s guess. Motivation was key. Was it Pardew, or did the players play up for the occasion? Personally, I believe it was the latter.
Do you think Pardew will keep Palace in the Premier League?
Definitely. But, I do question his ability to take the Eagles higher than bottom half mediocrity. If the Palace board decide they want to be stable in the top half of the Premier League table in a few seasons time, I highly doubt that Pardew is capable of doing so.
What is your message to Alan Pardew after his departure?
Good luck in the future.
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